| Queensland Number One | |
|---|---|
| Q1 one.jpg The world's fourth tallest residential building |
|
| General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Location | Gold Coast, Australia |
| Coordinates | |
| Construction started | 2002 |
| Completed | 2005 |
| Cost | $255 million |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 323 m (1,060 ft) |
| Roof | 275 m (902 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 80 |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Sunland |
| Architect | Atelier SDG and Innovarchi |
| Developer | Sunland |
Q1 (meaning Queensland Number One[1]) is a supertall skyscraper located in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast. It lost its title as the world's tallest residential tower to the 348 metre building The Marina Torch in Dubai on 29 April 2011. As of December 2011[update] it is the fifth tallest such building. Q1 is the tallest building in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere[2] when measured to the top of its spire (second tallest building behind Eureka Tower in Melbourne, when measured to roof and highest habitable floor) and the second-tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind Auckland's Sky Tower. It opened in November 2005.[1]
The landmark building was recognised as one of Queensland's icons during the state's 150th birthday celebrations. Q1 has been identified as a potential terrorism target for the region.[3] For a short period of time, an apartment in the building, which was bought for A$9 million by a Japanese restaurateur, was the most expensive ever paid for in Queensland.[4]
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At 322.5 m (1,058 ft) and with a roof height of 275 m (902 ft), Q1 qualifies as the world's fifth tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire), but is ranked lower behind buildings including The Torch at 348 metres in Dubai and Melbourne's Eureka Tower (roof height of 297.28 metres (975.3 ft)) when measured to its roof height and highest inhabitable floor. However, according to the ranking system developed by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the main criterion by which buildings are ranked is the height of the top of the spire, qualifying Q1 as the taller.
When completed, Q1 overtook the 21st Century Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to become the world's tallest residential tower. It is as of December 2011[update] in the top 50 tallest buildings in the world when measured to its structural point, dwarfing the Gold Coast skyline with the closest buildings to Q1's height being the 220 m (720 ft) North Tower of Circle on Cavill and the under construction 250 m (820 ft) Soul building.
Q1 was designed by Atelier SDG, and its form was inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House.[1] The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling team of the 1920s – Q1.[1]
It was developed by The Sunland Group and built by Sunland Constructions. The building was the Silver Award winner of the 2005 Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in second to Turning Torso in Sweden.
The building is supported by 26 piles, each two metres in diameter, that extend 40 metres into the ground passing through up to four metres of solid rock. Q1 contains one, two and three bedroom apartments.[1] Building facilities include two lagoon swimming pools, a lap pool, gymnasium, small theatre, a ballroom and a spa centre.[1]
An application to construct a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid 2010.[5]
SkyPoint, formerly known as QDeck, is an observation deck at levels 77 and 78. It is Australia's only beachside observation deck and has room enough for 400 people.[6] It towers 230 metres above the Surfers Paradise beach, giving viewers a 360 degree view of Brisbane to the north, the Gold Coast Hinterland to the west, Byron Bay to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The express elevator to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds.[1]
In 2009, reports of disrepair and poor building conditions emerged.[7] Peeling paint which has revealed rusty steel inside and outside, as well as shattered glass panels are amongst the visible concerns. The Building Services Authority has confirmed it has received complaints in relation to the building.[7] The north stairwell was assessed as defective due to the stairwell pressurisation system not meeting the minimum air flow requirements during a fire emergency.[8] The Building Services Authority asked Q1's builders to rectify the problem in July 2010.
Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site during New Year's Eve celebrations. The building is one of the most popular destinations for students celebrating schoolies week, despite the body corporate committee treasurer's claims that most of the buildings unit owners were opposed to their stay.[9]
On 28 March 2007, two base jumpers made an early morning jump from a northern side apartment.[10] Base-jumping is illegal in Queensland. The professional skydivers pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court and were fined A$750 without a conviction being recorded.[11]
| Preceded by 21st Century Tower (Dubai) |
Tallest all-residential building in the world 2005 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by 120 Collins Street (Melbourne) |
Tallest building in Australia 2005 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Torre Agbar (Barcelona) |
Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver) 2005 |
Succeeded by The Wave (Gold Coast) |
| List of tallest buildings in Australia | |||||
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